These articles and poems are based on travels throughout Texas with my husband, a veteran of WWII and our two boy scouts who loved to camp out in Garner State Park, and near rocky Big Ben, returning East to cool off in healthful Mineral Wells. We took guided fishing tours from Bolivar Point to Morgan's Point and on to Port Isabel and sandy shores of Padre Island to see the endangered, white-winged, whooping cranes. Crossing Toxoma, the northernmost lake, we would pause to ponder the namesake derived from tejas, meaning friendship according to the Caddo tribe. This northern route leaves behind Dallas' cotton bowl and seven other professional teams, including Arlington, Houston and San Antonio before bumping into Oklahoma's trail of tears. Over half a century has gone by since then, but many old haunts in all directions are still thriving. Other stories have their roots in Texas but industry, or a split family, took them elsewhere. Illustrations are my paintings, and photos depict memories of favorite places.